GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 25 Nov) – It’s not yet official though from the horse’s mouth has come, “The die is cast. I have crossed the Rubicon”, immortal words of great Roman conqueror Julius Caesar meaning “No turning back”. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is running for president.
His party, PDP-Laban (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan) is nominating him as its substitute candidate for Martin Diño, who had withdrawn his candidacy. The party has already signed his certificate of nomination (INQUIRER.net, November 23, 2015) and Duterte has until December 10 to file his candidacy – if he doesn’t change his mind again.
Duterte will meet party president, Sen.[]/a> with |||
He would not want Poe to be disqualified from the presidential race in May 2016, whether on the basis of her questionable citizenship or of her residency issue. “At the end of the day, sovereignty resides in the people. Let the people decide,” he said. (The Philippine Star (November 24, 2015: We should let Grace run – Noy)
Should the SET decision be upheld by the Supreme Court, no presidential candidate will raise the issue of citizenship against Poe. Duterte will make sure that Grace Poe is the issue – her questionable citizenship as well as residency.
Is this the only issue against Poe? Duterte twitted Poe to read up more on federalism when she said in Butuan City last October 2 that she would not support federalism being advocated by Duterte because it would perpetuate political dynasties. (Rappler.com, October 5, 2015: Grace Poe’s mind ‘still dwelling in feudal state Duterte.)
Poe obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political studies from Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. in 1991. Did she not study federalism, the form of the United States government since 1776? Duterte was questioning not only what she knows about federalism but also her political preparedness to be President.
What if Poe is disqualified? She will no longer be an issue. Will Duterte withdraw?
Rodrigo Duterte will be the issue. He is more controversial than Grace Poe.
[Author’s Note: Mind da News, the alternate of COMMENT, is a comment on current news. The author may be contacted at patponcediaz@yahoo.com.]